Happy Birthday Surya! Today Surya turns 27 years old! Congratulations on a great career, with even more accolades to come!
Surya skated to a brand-new program at yesterday's "Hershey's Kisses Figure Skating Challenge". The music was from the Lion King Broadway Music Soundtrack, entitled, "Shadowland". I was elated to learn that she did a program to this song, as it is wonderful -- a pop-type song with African rhythms. It is emotionally-charged, with a nice beat to go along with it. Go Surya!
Well, I just got back from Washington D.C. and the 2000 World Professional Championships. The good news is that Surya skated masterfully. The bad news is that the judging at this event was way off base, and Surya finished 4th. My thoughts, opinions, and pictures of the event will be up in the next couple of days. Surya flew to Detroit right after this event, where she will skate TODAY in the Hershey's Kisses Figure Skating Challenge. Good luck Surya!
Several pages have been updated, including the posting of December's poll in the "Interactive" section. Don't forget to cast your vote. Also, the World Professional Championships are just one week away. I will be in attendance, and I have good seats, so hopefully I will have some nice pictures to show for it when I get back. Good luck to Surya there!
I just returned from an extended trip, and my mailbox is completely full of inquiries. I was shocked to learn that Surya competed at the Canadian Open! I had talked to the event organizers on the phone as late as November 15th, and at that time, they said they were still searching for more ladies competitors. As for the results, check out the Message Boards for a report on the event that Robert posted. The results themselves are not very encouraging...there were a lot of questionable marks and placements at this competition. The good news is that Surya landed a Triple Lutz-Double Toe combination. The first Triple Lutz jump in competition for Surya since the 1997 Cup of Russia!
Surya skated very well last night at Ice Wars, helping the World Team defeat the USA with two strong programs. Her technical program included a Triple Loop and a Double Lutz that was intended to be a Triple Lutz. Nevertheless, she skated with more speed and attack than the other ladies, and her marks showed it! She earned the highest score amongst the ladies with a 98.2 (along with Nicole Bobek) in the Artistic Program. For more details, check out the Message Boards. This competition will be televised around Thanksgiving. Check the "Schedule" page for details. That's another win under Surya's belt as she heads into the World Professional Championships. Go Surya!
November 5th, 2000
I do not have a whole lot of news to report. The "Program Music" page has been updated with some of Surya's newest programs. I haven't had a chance to update it with all the information I have, so keep checking that page in the next few days. On another note, Surya skated very well at the "Divas on Ice" show, and her next event is this Thursday, when she skates at "Ice Wars". Good luck Surya!
October 23rd, 2000
Yesterday Surya skated at the StarSkates Motown show in Huntington, West Virginia. Her musical selections are posted on the "Program Music" page. She skated her second number in an Afro wig, and her music was performed live by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. The audience loved her, as always, and she hit all her elements. Next up for Surya is "Divas on Ice" and then "Ice Wars". Good luck, Surya!
October 13th, 2000
I've got more good news to report! Surya has been invited to the "Hershey's Kisses Figure Skating Challenge"! (See the "Schedule" page for details) This event is to take place *one day* after the 2000 World Professional Championships, so if she's not too tired, she should be in great shape. This event is going to be a "USA vs. the World" format, with each competitor skating one interpretive program against a member of the other team. Matchups have not been determined yet, but so far the competitors for the US are: Kristi Yamaguchi, Michelle Kwan, and Sarah Hughes. The ladies of the World team are headlined by Surya Bonaly, along with Maria Butyrskaya, Yuka Sato, and Irina Slutskaya. It should make for an interesting competition!
October 8th, 2000
Well, after a LOT of hard work (more than you'd think!) I've finished revamping the "Program Music" page. I will be adding MP3's of Surya's program music within the next few days.
October 7th, 2000
The "Grand Slam 2000" page in the "Reviews" section has been updated with final results and some notes I got from Internet reports on the web. Quite a bit of conflicting information, but it is information nonetheless. Check it out. As for Surya, having completed the "Grand Slam 2000", she now heads to Myrtle Beach for "Halloween on Ice"! This is a month-long tour (all in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina), but the show that will be seen on television is to be taped today. It should be interesting to see what programs she chooses to skate to in this show. Good luck, Surya!